Paris is one of the culinary capitals of the world so it’s not surprising its home to some of the best gourmet chocolate shops. Artisan chocolatiers with a unique flair for both art and chocolate making, bring the finest of both traditional and eclectic new recipes together. Here are some of the best chocolate shops in Paris to help you plan exactly where you can experience the upmost in chocolate indulgence.
Patrick Roger
With 5 stores in Paris, Patrick Roger offers up the most innovative of artisan chocolate making. His exquisite chocolate shops are more like galleries than anything else and his chocolates each individual works of art. There are no compromises made with the ingredients for these chocolates, sought from around the world to obtain excellence, with cocoa beans sourced from Vanuatu and Ecuador, oranges from Corsica and peat-scented whiskey from Scotland. Winning the title of best French artisan in 2000, a visit to one of Patrick Rogers’ stores is a real indulgence with flavoured treats including traditional delicious ganaches and pralines and the more unusual dark chocolates filled with jasmine flower, salted butter caramel and passion fruit.
108 Boulevard Saint-Germain, 6th arr.
Tel. 01 43 29 38 42
www.patrickroger.com
Pierre Herme
Pierre Herme though one of the world’s most celebrated pastry chefs has also won accolades for his line of chocolates. In his main shop in the Saint Germaine district of Paris you will find a vast collection of exquisite cakes, macaroons and pastries alongside his chocolate creations. Try his version of ‘Death by Chocolate’ a moist chocolate biscuit base layered with velvety chocolate cream, bubbly chocolate mousse and fine leaves of crispy chocolate producing the most perfect of combinations and an explosion of different textures. For the fashionistas out there Herme is the “Picasso of pastry”, according to fashion magazine Vogue.
72 rue Bonaparte, 6th. arr.
Tel. 01 43 54 47 77
www.pierreherme.com
La Maison du Chocolat
First opened in 1977, La Maison du Chocolat sets the benchmark for chocolatiers around the world, created by Robert Linxe who was once referred to as a “Ganache Magician” its main boutiques are located in Paris, New York and London. La Maison du Chocolate is perfect for those who don’t enjoy bitter tasting chocolates as they never use more than 65% cocoa in their creations. Their specialities include world-famous ganaches, truffles and mendicants, slices of chocolate topped with dried food. And if the lures of La Maison du Chocolat treats are too great once you get home you can order the delights online to be delivered to your door.
8 Boulevard Madeleine, 8th arr.
Tel. 01 47 42 86 52
http://www.lamaisonduchocolat.com/en/#/home
Debauve & Gallais
Established in 1800, Debauve & Gallais was officially recognised as chocolatiers to the French court and has since gained a cult following of chocolate lovers and chocolate connoisseurs from around the world. The store, situated in Paris’ Left Bank is a regular spot for the savvy traveller to the city and while once a secret kept firmly in France, Debauve & Gallais has now opened a new boutique in Manhattan. A fantastic place to visit that incorporates both the finest of chocolates and a glimpse into French culinary history.
30 rue de Saint Peres, 6th arr.
Tel. 01-45 48 54 67
http://www.debauve-et-gallais.com
This post has been written by travel blogger Charlotte McCulloch of Simonseeks.com; a travel website offering everything from expert reviews on Paris hotels to hotels in New York.
Eye Prefer Paris Photos for Sale
I am happy to announce the sale of prints of my Eye Prefer Paris Photos. I am offering 17 of my most popular and iconic images for sale including my courtyards, doors, architectural details, statues, and monuments. They will make great gifts for all your Francophile friends, relatives, and colleagues but don't forget to buy some for yourself.
Click here to see photos and for full details including sizes, prices, and shipping. Here is a sample of some of the photos.
New! Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes
I am happy to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes. Come take an ethnic culinary journey with me and chef and caterer Charlotte Puckette, co-author of the bestseller The Ethnic Paris Cookbook (with Olivia Kiang-Snaije). First we will shop at a Paris green-market for the freshest ingredients and then return to Charlotteís professional kitchen near the Eiffel Tower to cook a three-course lunch. After, we will indulge in the delicious feast we prepared along with hand-selected wines.
Cost: 185 euros per person (about $240)
Time: 9:30AM- 2PM (approximately 4 1/2 hours)
Location: We will meet by a metro station close to the market
Class days: Tuesday,Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday
Minimum of 2 students, maximum 6 students.
Click here to sign up for the next class or for more info.
I am pleased as punch to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I will personally be leading. The Eye Prefer Paris Tour includes many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes & food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks, and much more.
Tours cost 195 euros for up to 3 people, and 65 euros for each additional person. I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris.
Check it out at www.eyepreferparistours.com
Luckily I will be in Paris on Saturday morning - but for two nights only...
Posted by: Elizabeth Anderson | January 20, 2011 at 01:36 PM
In the paragraph about Maison du Chocolat, the chocolates referenced are “mendiants” (beggars), and they’re topped with dried fruit and (usually nuts), not “dried food.” I quite adore them. The mendiants are named for the begging pilgrims who for centuries made the journey to San Juan de Campostella in Spain; it was sort of the Christian version of Mecca. They carried supplies of dried fruit and nuts in their pockets, and supposedly used these to pay homes that put them up along the way.
I’m not sure of all the above details, but I do know that mendiants are ambrosial!
Posted by: David | January 22, 2011 at 01:28 PM
Richard; I see it's a guest blogger to have written this tasty post but Phllllleeease, it's La Maison du CHOCOLAT not chocolate or chocolates...I assume it was the spell-checker to blame but still....
Delightful and very tasty post - and BRAVO to David for his comment about the mendiants/beggers... they are so tasty and quite addictive!
Posted by: Kiki | January 23, 2011 at 09:45 PM